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I need advice! Two weeks ago I was at a picnic and seemed to notice a lot of knats around. Two days after the picnic I discovered over 20 bites on my legs which I had an allergic reaction to. Most of both legs were pink, swolen, and hot to the touch. The bites became the size of quarters. I became a bit disorientated, sick to the stomach, felt congested and a bit paniced. I went to the doctor and they just told me to take benadryl. I assumed that they were mosquito bites, but the doctor asked me if I had bed bugs. Bed bugs! What do I do?

Monday night, I heard a bug flying over my bed and thought it bit me on my arm. I had the door open for a bit earlier that evening. It could have been a mosquito. But, I also sleep on a five year old futon. By last night (Tuesday) the same thing happened as before. I noticed over 20 bites on my arm. Today I have developed the same allergic reaction. What should I do? I have taken some benadryl, but it doen't always help. Do I need to go to an ER? Do I have bed bugs? Or am I allergic to mosquito bites? I live in a humid place (five years in Chicago) but, I am originally from the southwest. I am not immune to any bugs out here.

Any advice would be fabulous.

Signed, itchy and crazed

Hi - I also live in Chicago and my condo is infested with bed bugs - did you seek out any help? My doctor couldn't identify what bug was biting me, but she knew it wasn't a mostquito or a spider. Then I found a bed bug on my mattress in September, and the exterminator has visited twice. And he may need to come back this week. It is a nightmare. Have you had any luck?

I recently discovered them as well in my Chicago apartment. This is an awful things to deal with. I ordered some pesticides online and the exterminators I spoke with were shocked that I got ahold of products like these. The problem is... Spraying every crack and crevice in your room and apartment. I'm in an old building and have decided to leave it to the pros from now on. Does anyone else have advice to offer? I will be living out of rubbermaids for the remainder of my lease.

When you move be careful not to transport the critters to your new home. Wash or fumigate everything.

Bed Bugs do not fly. You need to look for dried blood on your sheets. Look under the mattress for live bugs. Look on the internet for a picture if your not sure what you have. Getting rid of bugs is not easy you may need to get toss out your mattress or couch. It may take several trips for the bugman.

Hi,
Have you considered calling an exterminator? Explain the situation to them, and they should know how to handle it for you.

http://www.entomology.cornell.edu/Extension/DiagnosticLab/IDLFS/BedBugs/BedBugs.html